The Arizona sentinel., 1887-10-29

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 pressing rapidly after them.
 They were engaged in earnest con-
 versation.
 Apparently the topic absorbed all their thoughts, and my approach and the storm were alike disregarded.
 1 was near enough to overhear some of their words and catch some sen- tences. Billy addressed his compan- ion as Katie. Miss Emery's name was frequently mentioned. and I gathered that Katie went to Sunday-schoo ol and Miss Emery was her teacher Katie waslavish in her praise of this kind lady. Billy longed for some one who would be as good to him.
 ''Ain'tI good to you. Billy?" said Katie, in an aggrieved tone,
 You bet!' he replied, emphatically. and thought he drew her closer as he spoke. Il didn't mean you; l meant some one like Miss Emery"
 If your father would quit drinking that dreadful stuff he would be good 10 you then and so would your mother"
 Father will never stop drinking" said Billy, hopelessly. He's drunk all the time; he flogs me when I don t sell all my papers and give him the money; mothers almost crazy, and Bpnny's dying, I believe; he's awful sick and never has enough to eat and-and"-and a great sob told that BiIly's cup of sorrow was full and run ming over.
 Poor Bennyr' sighed Katie, sym pathizingly. But don't cry, Billy; Miss Emery says it's always darkest just before the dawn. May be Ben ny'll get well. hope he will; and perhaps your father won't hurt you tonight"
 'Yes, he will" sobbed Billy. "He means to pound the life out of me some of these nights, I know he doesr'
 The couple now stopped before the door of large tenement house, and l succeeded in getting into a neighbor- ing doorway unobserved. They talked on for short time. Billy was de- spondent, Katie hopeful. With skill and judgment belonging to riper years Katie applied Miss Emery's teachings as a balm to Billy's wounded spirit.
 'I can pray, Billy" she said at last. Miss Emery taught me how. ''She told me to ask God to bless our enemies as well as our friends. She says if l ask for what is right and best my pray CT will certainly be answered. Don't you believe It? do. Pm going to pray for Benny tonight. do hope he will get well. And I am going to ask God to make your father sober and good again. Faint right for him to take your money and spend it while you and the rest of you starve. Now, good night, Billy"
 The scene that followed was too sa- cred to be witnessed by any but the angels. I will not attempt to describe it. But when Katie disappeared in the dark hallway she was in possession of Billy's two unsold papers, and Billy went away with a heavier pocket but a lighter heart, for thus did he secure for this time immunity from his drunken fathers cruel rod.
 Billy t:udged on through the snow turning one corner then another. He had not gone far. however, .when a tall woman, without bonnet or cloak, and very thinly clad. suddenly rushed from somewhere.
 "Oh, BiTlyr she cried, run for the doctor, quick; Benny's dying. Find father and send him home"
 Billy darted off without a word. The woman ran up a narrow alley, leaping over drifts, almost flying over the snow, and forcing me to my utmost speed to keep her in sight The alley extended through several blocks. She stopped for an instant only before a small house, then disappeared from view.
 When I arrived at the spot I was startled by an agonizing shriek-a prolonged lamentation burdened with grief and despair. Then all was still. The differentiated window at the end of the house afforded view of the in- terior. It was just such a wretched place as one expects to find where and drink combine to deal out misery to men.
 But what a scene met my inquiring gaze! Across little cot lay the in- form of the woman, and the light shone full upon the cause of her marble face of the dead babe pillOwed upon her arm. On the floor in a corner braced against the wall, sat the intoxicated head of the aroused into semicon- sciousness by his wife's outcry, star ing idiotically about him, as if endeav- bring to find out where he was and what it all meant.
 Presently the woman moved, rose slowly. kissed the cold lips, then laid the lifeless head gently upon the pillow. For a moment she stood gag ing upon her dead child, then she touched the white face and tenderly adjusted the light covering.
 Now she discovered the figure in the corner. Its presence was evidently She instantly drew her. self up to full height while an un- natural light gleamed in her dark eyes.